Carlton coach Michael Voss says Elijah Hollands felt like he “let people down” after an erratic night in the Blues’ loss to Collingwood on Thursday, as the club works through what happened while prioritising the 23-year-old’s wellbeing.
Hollands finished with one disposal from about 60 per cent game time, and social media quickly filled with crowd footage showing behaviour that raised concern. Carlton has asked for sensitivity as it does its background work and puts support in place, with it still unclear whether the club will front the media or issue a statement on Friday. It is also understood the AFL is waiting on information from the Blues.
Herald Sun reporter Jon Ralph said the club’s “official position is that Hollands had an off night”.
Voss said Hollands was “pretty shattered with his game” and described an emotional conversation after the match. “I spoke to him after the game and he was really disappointed with how he’s started the game. Really upset, sort of feels like he’s let me down,” Voss said. “Had a good chat with him so he was pretty emotional after the game. Didn’t play a great game and he struggled to get his way into it, he was clearly really disappointed in his performance and obviously really important to the night. “He sort of feels like he’s let people down but we’ve got to keep supporting people through those situations.”
Hollands ended the match on the bench, with Voss explaining the decision came down to form and late-game balance. “He was clearly disappointed with himself and he was disappointed with how he was playing,” Voss said. “When it comes to the last quarter, you’ve obviously got to work out what mix you’ve got with five minutes to go, about what you want on the field and he wasn’t having a great night. Constant conversations with him, and we obviously thought the best mix was to not have him out there.”
On Fox Footy’s post-game coverage, Ralph said the situation needed to be handled carefully and outlined what was known immediately after the siren. “This is one we need to deal with with some sensitivity,” he said. “He (Hollands) seemed to run around for about 60% of game time without a possession. “There is footage which is quite disturbing and we won’t show you – throwing the bird at teammates. Certainly it seemed at one stage he seemed to be in the Collingwood huddle. “We know he’s had his issues with mental health, he’s spoken really bravely about his battles with alcohol issues as a result of that. We’ll ask Michael Voss, they can tell us what they can. “Some people will ask the question, did they do enough to be aware of the fact he’s in the right state to come out here? He didn’t seem to know what was going out there and in fact he finished the game on the bench. “The footage of him throwing the bird more to the crowd, to the fans, to his teammates, it is disturbing and we won’t show that to you.”
Ralph later said Hollands “was talking to Collingwood players about not being at 100 per cent” and expects the AFL to examine the matter, while stressing the need for restraint as the club supports the player. “They are clearly working with an issue which has extreme sensitivity there,” he said. “I understand it’s going to be titillating for people to look at that footage, but their view is he’s battled anxiety which he has spoken about before. “It’s not something we’ve seen in some time. Clearly they will have their care for him. “Michael Voss spoke to him at length post-match. They’ll work through whatever issues there are. “At the same time in concert with that, the AFL will work through whether he was in a fit state and whether anyone did anything wrong – we understand football clubs, they have the care of their players at best heart. “If they had any view that he was not in 100% control before they put him out there, they would not have played him. “It’s a really complex issue – it’s one we’ll deal with with some sensitivity. Even the Collingwood players, he was talking to them about not being 100%. Let’s use that expression. “It will play out in coming days. “But we’ll also be aware he’s worked so hard to get himself back and has battled with mental health which he has been so honest about. So a challenge for the industry to deal with it in the right way.”
